Legislation re-introduced by U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Kelly) and a group of bipartisan lawmakers would ramp up testing and treatment of PFAS contamination in private wells. PFAS are a group thousands of human-made chemicals used in industrial and consumer goods. Exposure has linked to health issues like cancer.
The legislation would allow states to use $5 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Kelly says the change will help ensure funding reaches communities that rely on those wells — like those in rural and small areas.
Funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law earmarked for water contamination did originally include private wells, but, Kelly says, not all communities ended up having access.
More water news
-
Matthew Olsen, associate project manager with ADEQ, says the agency is working with small water utilities outside Star Valley and Globe, where the chemicals have been found. -
Salt Lake City, Utah has a unique challenge ahead of it as it looks forward to hosting the 2034 Winter Games: Its namesake Great Salt Lake — is drying up. -
Low snow totals across the Colorado River basin are threatening to shrink major reservoirs and making water managers anxious. -
Negotiators are focusing on a five-year agreement for sharing water from the shrinking river. Experts say that would provide some much-needed flexibility. -
Across the Mountain West, groundwater is the unseen force keeping springs flowing, wetlands green, and desert plants alive. Now, a new interactive tool is making that hidden water easier to see.
